Danniella Westbrook teases EastEnders return

Danniella Westbrook has hinted she will return to 'EastEnders' as Sam Mitchell at some point later this year

Danniella Westbrook has hinted she could be making an explosive return to 'EastEnders as Sam Mitchell this year.

The 42-year-old actress has been in "talks" with producers about reprising her role as the blonde bombshell in the BBC One soap as bosses attempt to reunite the whole Mitchell clan to bid farewell to matriarch Peggy (Dame Barbara Windsor, 78), as she loses her battle with cancer.

Speaking on 'This Morning today (08.02.16), she said: "They're [the bosses] in talks with my agent at the moment ... But you will probably see a bit of Sam Mitchell this year."

However, the troubled star has admitted her return - if it happens - won't be a permanent one as she's been offered a "different" part in another long-running rival soap.

She explained: "I've been offered a different soap that's more long term but I'm not going to say I won't be going back to 'EastEnders' for a small while. But I'm an actress and as much as I love being in 'EastEnders' and being Sam Mitchell, I want to do some other roles as well."

Meanwhile, Danniella first appeared in the soap in 1990 before she quit three years later due to personal troubles.

She returned to Albert Square in 1995 and left again in 1996, before popping back in 1999 and waving goodbye in 2000.

She then made a fleeting visit in 2009 when her alter-ego returned to Walford from Spain using a fake passport but she was forced to leave again in 2010 when Sam was arrested.

The role of the flighty beauty was also played by Kim Medcalf from 2002 until 2005, but it's not known which actress bosses will secure for the forthcoming episodes.